US President Trump and Japan's New Prime Minister Reaffirm Alliance
REPORTER:
US President Donald Trump is continuing his Asia trip with a stop in Japan. There, he and Japan’s new prime minister, Takaichi Sanae, have signed documents reaffirming the US-Japan alliance and pledging to work together on securing rare earths.
REPORTER:
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae greet each other in Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace. For Takaichi, today is one of the first tests of her leadership.
REPORTER:
Japanese goods are subject to a 15% US tariff rate, and the country’s had to invest 550 billion US dollars in the US. But Washington wants more: greater access to the Japanese market for vehicles and agricultural goods.
REPORTER:
Still, Japan, with nearby rivals and hostile neighbors, has its own security interests to look after.
REPORTER:
And besides, the US and Japan are working out a new tariff deal that might be more favorable to Tokyo. Japanese firms may even make inroads into the US with all the Japanese investment going there.
REPORTER:
It was a meeting filled with warm words, with both sides placing high hopes on what's next in US-Japan relations.
Takaichi Sanae (PRIME MINISTER):
Through these efforts with you Mr. President I hope we can build a new golden age of the Japan-US alliance where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous.
REPORTER:
The two leaders signed two documents—one on bringing about a “golden age” in US-Japan ties and another on working together to secure rare earth minerals, as Washington works to reduce its reliance on China by diversifying its supply of critical minerals.
REPORTER:
Trump has much to be pleased about besides all the Japanese investment. Takaichi’s government will raise military spending to 2% of GDP early, meeting Trump’s expectation that US allies take more responsibility for their own defense. He praised Takaichi and pledged any US help Japan may need.
Donald Trump (US PRESIDENT):
I just want to let you know anytime you have any question, any doubt, anything you want, any favors you need, anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level.
REPORTER:
Takaichi and Trump also talked baseball. They spoke about Takaichi’s mentor and Trump’s friend, the late prime minister Abe Shinzo. And Takaichi said new cherry blossom trees and a Japanese fireworks show are coming to Washington next year to mark 250 years of US independence.
REPORTER:
As Trump prepares to head to South Korea for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he leaves Japan with assurances that despite trade frictions, the US-Japan alliance will thrive.
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